Live Conditions
Frio Rv at Concan · USGS 08195000
Flow
— cfs
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Gauge Ht.
— ft
Water Temp
—°F
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Frio River Scout
Local guides on call
Common Frio questions:
Try one ↓
The river by section
Not all of the Frio is floatable.
The Frio runs from the upper canyons near Leakey, through the Garner State Park stretch (the famous one), then south past Concan into ranch country. Four distinct stretches, four different reasons to come.
Headwaters · Above Leakey
Not for tubing
Small, intermittent, beautiful. Floats only in the highest water years. Skip this stretch unless you're scouting — it's not what people mean when they say "the Frio."
Garner State Park stretch
The famous one
The cypress-lined section everyone has seen photos of. Public access through Garner ($10/vehicle), shallow enough for kids on the flats, cypress shade from the bank. The jukebox dance at the pavilion runs nightly Memorial Day through Labor Day, then weekends through October. This is the float for first-timers.
Concan to Highway 127
Outfitter row
Where most commercial tubing happens. Shuttle services, tube rentals, the works. Bigger crowds on holiday weekends — go midweek if you want quiet. Several private launch points along here, most tied to outfitters or cabins.
Below Concan · Ranch country
Private access
Mostly private land below Highway 127. Beautiful, quiet, and only floatable if you're staying at a property with river access. Several of our cabins fit. South of Knippa, the river becomes more agricultural and tubing falls off entirely.
Tubing & access
Outfitters & shuttle services
The Concan-area outfitters handle tube rentals, shuttle drops, and parking. Most are seasonal — call before you drive in spring and fall.
Andy's Frio River Outfitters
Concan
Tube and kayak rentals, shuttle service, parking. Long-running, well-known. Open seasonally — generally Memorial Day through Labor Day, plus shoulder weekends.
House Pasture Camp
Concan
Cabin rentals plus river access. Family-operated. The cabins are the draw — river access is included for guests, day-use available when not full.
Frio Country Resort
Concan
Larger property with cabins, RV sites, dining, river access, and on-property activities. Good for groups that want everything on one property without a drive in.
More outfitters list when the platform goes live. Outfitters: add your listing →
★ Riverside Cabins
Cabins on the Frio, managed by Backroads Hill Country
Two cabins currently active in the Concan area with direct or walking-distance river access. Pet-friendly options available with fenced yards. Plus dozens more across the Hill Country if you're coming for the Frio but flexible on where you stay.
See available cabins →
On the water & off
Things to do on the Frio
Tubing
The headline activity. Best between 80–300 cfs.
Garner Jukebox Dance
Nightly under the pavilion, Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Swimming holes
Old Baldy area in Garner has the deepest holes.
Hiking
Old Baldy summit for sunrise. Easy access from the park.
Stargazing
Dark skies once you're past Concan. Cabins help.
Kayaking
Higher water sections. Outfitters rent.
When to come
The Frio's calendar
The Frio peaks with spring rain and the summer crowds. October and early November can be the sleeper season — water's lower, but it's quiet, cool, and the cabins are easier to book.
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Peak season · outfitters open
Shoulder · check before you go
Off-season · mostly closed
Common questions
Frequently asked
Is the Frio floatable right now?
Check the live conditions panel at the top of the page — it pulls the current USGS gauge reading and translates it into plain English. Generally floatable between 80–300 cfs. Below that, you'll be walking shallow sections. Above that, outfitters may close.
How cold is the water?
The Frio earned its name. Water temps run 60–72°F most of the year, even in August. That's the appeal in summer and the catch in spring and fall — bring a wetsuit shirt or skip the float on chilly days.
Are coolers and glass allowed?
Glass is prohibited in Garner State Park and on most outfitter-run sections. Coolers are usually allowed but must be tied to your tube. Each outfitter has its own rules — confirm with them when you reserve.
How far in advance should I book?
Garner State Park cabins: six months ahead for summer weekends, often within minutes of release. Private cabins: 2–3 months for July/August, 2–4 weeks for shoulder season. The peak weekends sell out faster every year.
Is the Frio kid-friendly?
Yes — the Garner section is shallow and slow, with plenty of cypress shade. Most outfitters rent toddler-friendly tubes. Life jackets are recommended at any age and often required for under-12s.
What's the closest town to fly into?
San Antonio (SAT) is the main option — about two hours to Concan. Rent a car. There's no Uber out there, and the gas stations close earlier than you'd think.
Explore the network
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Powered by Backroads Hill Country · 97 active rentals · Local experts since 2001
Live data via USGS Water Services (free, public, no account required)
Powered by Backroads Hill Country · 97 active rentals · Local experts since 2001
Live data via USGS Water Services (free, public, no account required)